Would you date a vegetarian? (dating, married, girl, lover)

[415_s2k]

Just thought I'd ask this here, since there's a pretty good cross section of people in terms of age, economic status, gender, etc.

I started messaging and talking back and forth with a girl I met online about a week ago (she messaged me), and we seemed to get along pretty well. Similar sense of humor and whatnot. We'd had tentative plans about dinner next week, and she invited me over; I agreed. Then, she asks me how I like my chicken prepared.

I answer, "Oh, I'm a vegetarian, actually " note: I clearly state in my profile that I have been a vegetarian for twelve years

Along comes a torrent of mocking, which I can't tell is joking or sincere. No, it's sincere - she then states that she "doesn't want to date a hippie," "thinks tofu is gross," and "now i feel like im the man and your the girl."

I handled it with grace - after all, I really have no desire to be in a relationship with someone so freakin' petty - and inasmuch as I am a man, I don't need to justify my beliefs or opinions to someone who's going to be so overboard on their reaction for any sense of validation.

She finally texted me that she was sorry but couldn't date someone who "didn't eat like her," and I told her that was fine, and wished her the best of luck. She's texted me back a couple times, apologetically trying to elaborate on her comments. I really don't care, stated that I thought it was funny since it's really just a personal choice that I don't push on people, and again I wished her all the best.

I find the whole situation amusing, really... but, it got me thinking: how common is this attitude? I've never really found it a hindrance to dating; if anything, the fact that I'm lean, athletic, and have good skin seems to be a boon. I've never actually dated a girl who was vegetarian from the gate, though I've had a few later decide to try it out themselves after seeing my lifestyle and trying my cooking I've never pushed it on anyone and view it as a personal choice as opposed to being an activist.

So, where do you stand on the issue?

[=Lavender=]

I have no problem as long as they are okay with my diet choice.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

Just thought I'd ask this here, since there's a pretty good cross section of people in terms of age, economic status, gender, etc.

I started messaging and talking back and forth with a girl I met online about a week ago (she messaged me), and we seemed to get along pretty well. Similar sense of humor and whatnot. We'd had tentative plans about dinner next week, and she invited me over; I agreed. Then, she asks me how I like my chicken prepared.

I answer, "Oh, I'm a vegetarian, actually " note: I clearly state in my profile that I have been a vegetarian for twelve years

Along comes a torrent of mocking, which I can't tell is joking or sincere. No, it's sincere - she then states that she "doesn't want to date a hippie," "thinks tofu is gross," and "now i feel like im the man and your the girl."

I handled it with grace - after all, I really have no desire to be in a relationship with someone so freakin' petty - and inasmuch as I am a man, I don't need to justify my beliefs or opinions to someone who's going to be so overboard on their reaction for any sense of validation.

She finally texted me that she was sorry but couldn't date someone who "didn't eat like her," and I told her that was fine, and wished her the best of luck. She's texted me back a couple times, apologetically trying to elaborate on her comments. I really don't care, stated that I thought it was funny since it's really just a personal choice that I don't push on people, and again I wished her all the best.

I find the whole situation amusing, really... but, it got me thinking: how common is this attitude? I've never really found it a hindrance to dating; if anything, the fact that I'm lean, athletic, and have good skin seems to be a boon. I've never actually dated a girl who was vegetarian from the gate, though I've had a few later decide to try it out themselves after seeing my lifestyle and trying my cooking I've never pushed it on anyone and view it as a personal choice as opposed to being an activist.

So, where do you stand on the issue?

Honestly, I would not. My family on both sides are Southern Country people who are big on bbq's and reunions in the summer. No way I would take a vegetarian, for her AND my sake.

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by The Dissenter

Honestly, I would not. My family on both sides are Southern Country people who are big on bbq's and reunions in the summer. No way I would take a vegetarian, for her AND my sake.

I can understand that; my dad's from the South, my mom's family is from rural Washington State, and I grew up mostly in the country and on military bases... whenever I go to family events, I end up not hearing the end of it. Most of it is in good fun though, and although it gets a bit old after awhile, none of it is mean-spirited, so I don't really care much.

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

Just thought I'd ask this here, since there's a pretty good cross section of people in terms of age, economic status, gender, etc.

I started messaging and talking back and forth with a girl I met online about a week ago (she messaged me), and we seemed to get along pretty well. Similar sense of humor and whatnot. We'd had tentative plans about dinner next week, and she invited me over; I agreed. Then, she asks me how I like my chicken prepared.

I answer, "Oh, I'm a vegetarian, actually " note: I clearly state in my profile that I have been a vegetarian for twelve years

Along comes a torrent of mocking, which I can't tell is joking or sincere. No, it's sincere - she then states that she "doesn't want to date a hippie," "thinks tofu is gross," and "now i feel like im the man and your the girl."

I handled it with grace - after all, I really have no desire to be in a relationship with someone so freakin' petty - and inasmuch as I am a man, I don't need to justify my beliefs or opinions to someone who's going to be so overboard on their reaction for any sense of validation.

She finally texted me that she was sorry but couldn't date someone who "didn't eat like her," and I told her that was fine, and wished her the best of luck. She's texted me back a couple times, apologetically trying to elaborate on her comments. I really don't care, stated that I thought it was funny since it's really just a personal choice that I don't push on people, and again I wished her all the best.

I find the whole situation amusing, really... but, it got me thinking: how common is this attitude? I've never really found it a hindrance to dating; if anything, the fact that I'm lean, athletic, and have good skin seems to be a boon. I've never actually dated a girl who was vegetarian from the gate, though I've had a few later decide to try it out themselves after seeing my lifestyle and trying my cooking I've never pushed it on anyone and view it as a personal choice as opposed to being an activist.

So, where do you stand on the issue?

Lame! I wouldn't date a squeamish eater, because I like to try all kinds of stuff. I like to cook too, so I wouldn't want to date someone who picked at what I prepared or made fun of it. I made tofu, faro, and kale for lunch. Who'd want to date someone who goes, "Ew, yuck?" Now, I know some people don't like tofu, but it sounds like this chick had never tried it. And the disparaging comments were just immature and dumb. And they show a lack of imagination, if she doesn't know what to eat that's not meat or tofu.

If you have no problem dating a meat-eater, and it sounds like you don't and that you don't try to convert people, then you're golden.

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

So, where do you stand on the issue?

I was a vegetarian for almost two decades and recently went selectively pesci. That was all of my adult life. I only dated other vegetarians until I met my husband who went pesci. If you're an ethical veg I think it's easier to stick with your own, personally. If it's for health then any intelligent meat eater should understand and value it.

[Prince_Frog]

I think that if I dated a vegan, my family as a whole would probably do a lot of ribbing on her, but my dad and step mom would be OK with it.

There's going to be meat in my fridge. There's room for bean burgers too, but I'm not about to completely embrace that diet.

[Akalott]

I wouldnt mind I would change my diet to theirs. I'm not a big meatlover

[brokencrayola]

I wouldn't have a problem with it as long as he was open to the fact that I eat meat.

[Kaffegal05]

Yes, I would date a vegetarian because I have eaten vegetarian meals/foods. It shouldn't be that big of a deal for meat eaters and non-meat eaters to date. As long as vegetarians don't force it down the throat of meat eaters by saying: " do you know what happens to chicken before it ends up on your plate?" Or the meat eaters don't say "I don't know how you are able to eat soy foods because that stuff tastes discusting", everything should be ok.

I used to work with a girl who is a hardcore vegetarian. She didn't look favorably at those who ate meat and acted like a person is morally wrong for doing so. So yeah, I know what you mean about vegetarian/animal activists.

I know a married couple where one is a vegetarian and the other is not. It is no big deal and they don't put each other down or try to convince the other that their way of eating is the best. They just cook their own meals.

In every relationship someone is going to have their own food preferences whether it is not eating red meat or eating: healthy food, fast food, vegetarian,southern food, spanish food, etc etc.